Dr. Vladimir F. Chizh and the Psychiatric Approach in the Russian School of Criminal Anthropology

The article aims to explore the scientific and creative legacy of Dr. Vladimir F. Chizh, a prominent figure in the Russian anthropological school of criminal law from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Being an original thinker from the Silver Age, Dr. Chizh recognized the conceptual significance of recent discoveries in a number of natural and exact sciences, including anthropology, psychology, physiology, and statistics. In addition to that, he deemed the practical application of these discoveries essential in areas of social life that had previously been overlooked by scientific inquiry. For Dr. Chizh, one such area of interest was the world of crime, whose causes and evolving nature are illuminated by emerging interdisciplinary fields, such as criminal anthropology and forensic psychopathology. The article provides a brief overview of the life and work of Dr. Vladimir F. Chizh, along with his perspectives on the goals and objectives of criminology and related disciplines. It addresses two main areas: firstly, those mental and cultural stereotypes that hinder the development of scientific knowledge about crime; and secondly, an exploration of the concepts, principles and methods that could effectively contribute to this field. While Dr. Chizh acknowledged the fundamental approaches of Western criminology, particularly the principles of Cesare Lombroso, he maintained a critical stance and emphasized the necessity of thorough empirical verification for any speculative claims. The author argues that reintroducing Vladimir F. Chizh’s ideas into contemporary socio-cultural and political-legal discourse holds significant historiographical value and enhances our understanding of current issues stemming from criminal activities, revealing their origins and identifying optimal solutions.

Keywords: Vladimir F. Chizh; Russian anthropological school of criminal law; criminal anthropology; forensic psychopathology; Lombrosianism; criminal type